Beloved Congregation of our Lord Jesus Christ,

Transcription

1 Liturgy: Reading: Psalm 33 Text : LD 9, HC Ps. 146 : 1,3 Hy 7 : 9 (am) Hy. 1a (pm) Ps. 33 : 1,2,3 (after the reading of God s Word) Ps. 138 : 4 ( in response to the sermon) Ps. 3 : 2,3(collection and closing song) Beloved Congregation of our Lord Jesus Christ, This morning we will deal with the first article of the Apostles' Creed, which reads, I believe in God the Father almighty, Creator of heaven and earth. With these words we do not simply confess that somewhere there is a god who has created all things. Neither do we, taking these words on our lips, simply refuse the theory of evolution, which denies that God is the Creator of all things. Of course, also these aspects are part of this confession, yet there is more to be said here. When confessing, I believe in God the Father almighty, Creator of heaven and earth, I also confess to this God I want to entrust my life. With Him I feel safe, since this God is my Father, for the sake of Christ His Son, who is my Redeemer. Indeed, it is for Christ s sake only, that I may call Almighty God my Father. For Christ s sake only, since looking at ourselves, we don t deserve it at all to call God our Father. It was mere mercy from God s side when after man had fallen into sin He still wanted to continue with man. Although we fully deserved it, God did not forsake the works of His hands. Despite man s rebellion, God s love still went out to this world created by Him. Via the detour of Calvary God still wanted to come to the aim He created man for, namely that man would heartily love Him and live with Him in eternal blessedness to praise and glorify Him. 1 1 See HC, LD 3, Answer 6. 1

2 Beloved, all these things too are part of that confession, I believe in God the Father almighty, Creator of heaven and earth. I would even say, this comes first: the comfort we find in this confession as expressed also by the author of Psalm 33. I now think in particular of verse 12 of this psalm, where it reads, Yes, being chosen to be a child of this God, to be covenant child is indeed something of which one can say, I m so blessed by it, blessed to be part of God s chosen nation, and this by grace alone! Well, beloved, it is from this angle that I would like to speak about Lord s Day 9 this morning, drawing attention also to Psalm 33. I do this under the following theme, which I have also borrowed from this same psalm, BLESSED IS THE NATION WHOSE GOD IS THE LORD For chosen by God, one may know himself surrounded by God s 1) almighty power 2) unfailing love 3) never-ending faithfulness I So first of all we will speak about the blessing of being surrounded, being kept by God s almighty power. When thinking about God s almighty power involuntary one thinks almost straightaways of what happened in the beginning of world history, when out of nothing God created heaven and earth. Speaking about God s almighty power also LD 9 refers to this, and so does Psalm 33; a psalm in which the author brings praise to God for His mighty and wonderful deeds. The author does singing not only of God s almighty power, but he rejoices also in the fact that he knows this almighty God as the faithful God of the covenant. He feels blessed in being allowed to live in a close relationship with this powerful and awesome God. That s Psalm 33! 2

3 The author rejoice in this, when in the first section of this psalm he speaks about the LORD wielding His power through the word He spoke, calling into existence the things that did not exist. I think here of what we read in verse 9, I also think of verse 6, Yes, just by one single breath of His mouth the LORD brought into being the whole celestial host. With respect to the word host mentioned in verse 6, most likely it refers not only to the innumerable stars of heaven, but also to the angelic armies, by whom we may know ourselves surrounded by day and by night. All these things point not only to God s almighty power, but also to God s majesty. Yes, beloved, how great is God, our God, in power and majesty! When thinking about the greatness of all this, we should not forget that God uses this power and majesty to fulfill the promises He has given to His people. For as the almighty One, God not only created out of nothing heaven and earth and all that is in it, but as it reads in Lord s Day 9 He also upholds and governs all things by His eternal counsel and providence, and this, beloved, for the sake of His children, i.e. also for your and my sake. That s how we may know God: not only as the Creator of all things, but also as the One, who as faithful God of the covenant upholds and governs all things. This is also the joy of the author of Psalm 33, when he rejoice in God s power and majesty being revealed not only the realm of nature, but also in the history of mankind. The rulers of this world make their plans. Yet God in His almighty power may all of a sudden cause these plans fall through. Vs. 10, The LORD brings the counsel of the nations to nothing; He makes the plans of the people of no effect. We meet here the same thought as in Psalm 2, where we read about the rulers of this world taking counsel together against the LORD and His Anointed. Yet, He who sits in heavens laughs and has 3

4 them in derision. 2 Thus in the end the counsel of the nations will come to nothing. Yet Psalm 33, 11 the counsel of the LORD stands forever. Thus nothing can threaten God s purposes. He is in absolute control of everything, in control also of history. Hence, Blessed is the nation whose God is the LORD, the people He has chosen as His own inheritance. 3 Yes, beloved, those who know themselves surrounded by the almighty power of this God, the LORD almighty, the God of the covenant, are blessed indeed! In more common language I could say: they are to be congratulated, since this God has the whole world in His almighty hands. In vs. 13 of this psalm we read He looks down from heaven and sees all the sons of men. He, who fashioned their hearts individually, knows them all. 4 He understands all their works, all that comes from their heart. 5 That s why God is able to frustrate the plans of the peoples, making these plans subject to the counsel of His perfect will. From this we learn that the history of this world has no other purpose than to serve the fulfillment of God s plan. Well, having the privilege of being part of this plan of God, the privilege of belonging to that nation God has chosen to be His, one is to be congratulated, indeed. In the verses 16 & 17 of this psalm the author elaborates further on these riches. A king with a great army and a soldier with great strength are ultimately but nothing in comparison with the power of the almighty God, who rules everything and simply carries out His plan. No one can withstand Him. That how we should look at history, also today, e.g. with respect to what is happening in the Middle East. We pray for peace, and that is good. At 2 Psalm 2, 2 & 4. 3 Vs. 12 of this psalm. 4 Vs

5 the same time, we should also remember that God is fulfilling His plan also through wars and rumors of wars. Thus when praying for peace, we should also pray, Thu will be done! That s how we may find comfort, comfort in knowing God rules, our God, my Father. Therefore, Rejoice in the LORD, O you righteous!... Sing to Him a new song. 6 Summarizing, this means we should never live unaware of God s almighty power, by which He rules this world, but by which He also surrounds your and my life, beloved. Never forget this. When honest, we all must admit that at times we so easily do forget, forget how rich we are with this God? So often we tend to look at the things only with our physical eyes, keeping the eye of faith closed to God s almighty power and majesty. As a result, we may start worrying about this and about that. Yet, beloved, there is no need for this. Instead we should walk through this world having the eye of faith open always, open to see Father at work; at work not only in the great and eventful things, like earthquakes, floods, tsunamis and bushfires, in wars and all kind of international conflicts. Of course also in these things God is at work, but equally we should see God s almighty power at work in what we may call minor things, the little things of every day life. We should never forget that God s almighty hand is involved even in the simplest things of our life. He rules it all, great and small. God is indeed actively involved in all things and this, beloved, for the sake of your and my redemption. This brings me to the second point of this sermon. 5 Vs Vss. 1 & 3. 5

6 II Thus far we learned how rich we are in believing that God is the Almighty One. Next in LD 9 it now says that this almighty God is, for the sake of Christ His Son, my God and my Father. For the sake of Christ His Son! After all, it is not just a matter of course that we may call the almighty God our Father. In fact, this is nothing else but a great miracle. After all, in Paradise we had turned our back upon God and the result was that we forfeited our right to be God s children. This could indeed have been the end. Yet God so loved us so much that He sent His Son into this broken world; a world, where man had ruined everything. However, God in His love for us sent His Son to put everything back in its proper place so that God and man could once again live together in peace. This is the reconciliation, which Christ accomplished by His death on the cross a restored relationship with God. We may enjoy the blessings of this restored relationship already today, namely through faith in Jesus Christ. Yes, because of Christ s work we may enjoy a restored relationship not only with God, but also with those, with whom we share this same faith. In this context I think of the communion of saints, which once again knits God s redeemed children together in true brotherly love. At least that s how it should be. And this as the Form for the Celebration of the Lord s Suppers says it not just in words, but also in deeds. Also this is part of the blessing spoken about in Psalm 33. After all, I do not rejoice in God s love in an individual way, but together with all the saints, together with my brothers and sisters in Christ. Next, as God s children we have received also a place in the midst of God s creation. Also there we are to praise and glorify Him, again not just in words, but also in deeds. In this context I think of the cultural 6

7 mandate, 7 by which God gave man the task to further develop this earth to the glory of the Creator. That s why as God s children we are never allowed to turn our back upon this world, withdrawing to their own circles. Instead, God has given us a place in this world, even though we are not of the world. The latter means we should have nothing to do with the sinfulness of this world. We are to hate sin and flee from it. Nevertheless we live in this world and can t get out of it. In this world we have a task to fulfill. What is this task? The simple answer to this question is: in the place where God has set us we are to glorify Him to whom we belong, making the most of the talents God has given us. That s how we ought to be active. And then, who knows what God will do through our hand. Summarizing: wherever we are and in whatever we do, we should never forget that we are the LORD s. To Him we belong. This is a very comforting thought, as also the author of Psalm 33 says it. I think here of vs. 18 of this psalm, where it reads, "Behold, the eye of the LORD is on those who fear Him, on those who hope in His mercy." These words highlight God s love for us, sinful children of His. Being redeemed by Christ I may live joyfully. Joyfully, not only because I know about the forgiveness of sins, but I may live joyfully also in the face of all sorts of misery, which entered this world as a result of sin. For living in a broken world I may put my trust in God, the Almighty One. He will provide. In His care over my life He will make sure that I lack nothing. For God s eye is upon me, upon each and every one of us individually. This means, as the Almighty One God not only directs His attention to this world as a whole, but His eye is also upon every little detail of your and 7 This mandate is recorded in Gen. 1,28. 7

8 my personal life, beloved. His ears are open to those who cry out to Him. 8 He will listen. Yes, that s how God as the Almighty One and as Father takes care of those who fear Him. Those who fear Him! This word fear points to honor, love and obedience. It means that we are also to acknowledge God in His power and majesty. Acknowledge God in this, but then also entrust ourselves to it. Then we are indeed blessed, blessed in faith, knowing that God will take care, despite all the difficulties and concerns we might face in life. God will provide and also cause deliverance, vs. 19. As to this deliverance worked by God, you should also read Psalm 34, which more or less deals with the same issue. I now think in particular of the vss of this psalm. Let us just read these verses for a moment. Psalm 34, 15-20, I will not explain these words in detail this morning. I did this some time ago, when we dealt with this psalm in the series of sermons on the ABC of faith. This was when the letter T was dealt with, T for to taste, taste and see that the Lord is good. Good also in His care over our life! He will give deliverance always, guarding all our bones! In the sermon on the letter T I mentioned that we should not interpret this in such a way that the LORD will always take away every distress or affliction. That s not the meaning of these words. At times we do break bones. Yet the point is that the LORD is near always and therefore, whenever we meet with difficulties, for us there is no need to despair. For God, the Almighty One, is there to care for His children. He is our strong Deliverer who if need to is able to give deliverance even out of death. 8 Psalm 34, 15 8

9 Yes as we sing it with the words of Psalm 68 God is strong to save from mortal danger, from the grave and every cruel oppression. 9 Indeed, even death, that strong enemy death too has to submit to God as the God of life. See there how blessed we are with this God on our side, the Almighty One, Creator of heaven and earth. From Him I may indeed expect all things needed for body and soul. God will provide. Again, this does not meet that all things in my life will always turn out all right, all right as far as the physical eye can see. God can also cause the life of His children to go through deep valleys, through tough times during which we may ask ourselves the question, Why, O Lord? And yet in faith this certainty remains that God is my Father. Despite all the things I may have to face in life, for the sake of Christ His Son nothing can separate us from God s fatherly love. Nothing for right across all the troubles we face in this life, right across all the misery we are confronted with in this world, God wants to come to the New Jerusalem, i.e. to our complete salvation. Yes, everything that happens in this world as well as everything that happens in our personal life is working together for this great aim. I realize that a statement like this does not all of sudden solve all the questions we struggle with at times. But it helps us to cope, to cope also when we have to number hard and difficult days. It gives us the assurance, of which also the author of Psalm 33 speaks with respect to those who put their trust in God, 9 Ps. 68 : 8 (rhymed) 9

10 For Yea, though famine grieve them, He will never leave them Prey to death and dust... Our soul awaits the great Redeemer; Our help and shield, Him we acclaim. Our hearts rejoice in Him and glory, For we trust in His holy Name. 10 III We saw, Br. & Sr. that we are blessed since as God s people we may know ourselves surrounded by God s almighty power, by His unfailing love. Next and this brings me to the final point of this sermon we may know ourselves surrounded also by God s never ending faithfulness. The author of Psalm 33 draws attention also to this aspect, the aspect of God s faithfulness. In the second point of the sermon I quoted verse 18. Let us turn to this verse again and have a somewhat closer look at it. Doing so, it should not escape our attention that in this verse the author uses God s covenant name, the name LORD with capital letters. This is the name by which God made Himself known when He appeared to Moses in the burning bush. Speaking to Moses God called to mind how in the past He had revealed Himself to Abraham, Isaac and Jacob as God Almighty. Yet to Moses God comes with a new name, I AM WHO I AM. This Name of God assures of that God will be faithful to the promises He made in the past. This Name assures us we can trust God. He is reliable. It is in particular the name LORD with capital letters, which bears testimony to this. I AM WHO I AM, or as the name Yahweh also can be translated, I SHALL BE WHO I SHALL BE. 10 Ps. 33 : 5 & 6 (Rhymed) 10

11 The author of Psalm 33 says in vs. 4, For the word of the LORD (also here with capital letters) is right and all His work is done in truth (i.e., in faithfulness). This means God s promises are not just hollow phrases, but we can be sure that they will come true. God s own name guarantees this. I SHALL BE WHO I SHALL BE, i.e. I shall be active in the fulfillment of all My promises. Well, beloved, that s how the LORD has given Himself to His people. Not only to His people living during the time of the OT, but that s how God has given Himself also to us. We may build our life on these firm promises of God, yes on God Himself. And so we may rejoice in the same way as also the author of Psalm 33 does, vs. 21, We may trust in the name of God, i.e. the name with which God has made history among His people. God s name bears testimony to God s redemptive activity. When reflecting upon the power of this name there is indeed every reason to rejoice, especially when we realize that with this powerful name God is near also to us. Well, beloved, all these riches should be taken into account when we read in vs. 18 that the eye of the LORD is upon those who fear Him. In actual terms this means God, as the faithful God of the covenant, will not lose sight of those who love Him, will not lose sight of those who put their trust in His mercy. God s mercy also this word, the word mercy, points to God s faithfulness. It points to God s love in which we may take refuge. Thus in faith we are able to cope with life, able to cope also when there are difficulties. For with all our worries, with all our concerns we may go to God, our almighty Father, who is both willing and able to help us. Yes, 11

12 All that His love and grace endeavor shall Him His power not deny. 11 How blessed we are, beloved, with this God on our side; blessed, since we may put our hope in His mercy, in His steadfast love. In more practical terms this means, we may always cling to the trustworthy and reliable promises of God. These are the promises, with which God came to us at a moment that we could as yet not understand a thing of it. I now think of the moment that we were baptized. At that moment God already promised us - I will be your Father and so I will care for you always, for you are My child! - I will also forgive you all your sins, when in true repentance you cling to the blood of Christ in whom I have washed you clean. - I also give you My Spirit who will work faith in your heart by which you can embrace all these rich promises. He will impart them to you. Beloved, what more do you want? Greater riches can t be given to you. When storm winds with gale forces strike our life, we may shelter in the shadow of God s almighty power, putting our trust in His love and in His never ending faithfulness. If you ever doubt these riches, think of your baptism, which is sure testimony that God will never let go off you. He will care for you always. He does so even when He guides your life along difficult paths. God is there! He is there for you, even when at times through sins in your life you have grieved Him. You may always return to Him when in true repentance you confess your sins before Him. Not that God then adopts you again on the basis of your repentance. No, God does so since in Christ He loves you. He is grieved when a child of His turns his back on Him and He longs for their return. 11 BoP - Hymn 53 : 2. 12

13 See there, beloved, how blessed you are with confessing your faith in God the Father almighty, Creator of heaven and earth; how blessed you are, also you young people. Just for a moment pause on these blessings, for so easily we take them for granted, forgetting how privileged we are. So often if I may use a certain image so often in particular young people have the inclination to stand for a window in the church looking towards the outside world at all that is going on in the world, feeling attracted to it. They like to join in: the world which seems to have it all for offer: entertainment, music, sport and you name it, it fascinates. But, young people, remember all those fascinating things in the world do not last. Moreover if you stand for that window looking at all that is going outside, you have turned your back to the what is going on inside. You look outside, but you don t see what is going on inside. Therefore you should turn around so that you may see again that it is here in the church that you will find true and lasting riches, in the church, where the gospel of your salvation is preached to you. In the church you may live in a close relationship with God who has chosen also you; who has said also to you, I will be your Father, and with My almighty power I will care also for you. Well, why should we then go somewhere else to enjoy life? Nowhere else we will find such tremendous riches, riches that will last, last forever. Beloved, live then also from it, young and old alike! Let us do what the author of Psalm 33 urges us to do, Hope in God s steadfast love, trust in His holy Name. Or to say it in a somewhat different wording, quoting the apostle Paul, In everything by prayer and supplications, with thanksgiving, let your requests be made known to God. And the peace of God, which surpasses all understanding, will guard your hearts and minds through Christ Jesus Philp. 4, 6 & 7. 13

14 Yes, then we can indeed rejoice, no matter what the future may bring. For God is our refuge, the almighty God who for Christ s sake is my Father! No, this does not mean that because of this it will always be plain sailing. At times indeed storms may erupt even with gale forces in the lives of God s children. But even when such a storm erupts we may look on high knowing that God is still there to care for us. He will not let go off us. He is the Rock of our life. With Him we are safe, always. For according to what He has promised us, He will finish perfectly what He for me has undertaken. His works in mercy wrought Never come to nought, or be forsaken. 13 Amen 13 BoP, Psalm 138 : 4 (Rhymed) 14

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